Red Drum vs Whale Shark
Sciaenops ocellatus compared with Rhincodon typus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Red Drum | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sciaenops ocellatus | Rhincodon typus |
| Order | Perciformes | Orectolobiformes |
| Family | Sciaenidae | Rhincodontidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Red Drum | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 155.0 cm | 1800.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 45.0 kg | 21500.0 kg |
| Color | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. | Dark gray to blue-gray back covered with a distinctive checkerboard grid of pale white or cream spots and transverse stripes; belly white; the unique spot pattern is unique to each individual. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Red Drum | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 10-?m | 0-1928m |
| Geographic Range | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … | Pantropical in open oceanic and coastal waters between 30°N and 35°S. Aggregates seasonally at feeding sites including Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, the Gulf of … |
| Habitat | Estuaries | Neritic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Red Drum | Whale Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | 7/10 | — |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
Whale Shark
Endangered species — consumption is strongly discouraged and illegal in many countries. Historically consumed in parts of Asia; now internationally protected under CITES Appendix II.
Species Overview
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.
Whale Shark
The whale shark is the largest living fish species, reaching lengths of up to 18 meters. Despite its enormous size, it is a gentle filter feeder that consumes plankton, fish eggs, and small fish by swimming with its wide mouth open.